ap environmental science sem. 1 vocab

Question 1

Both birth and death rates are low. Population growth stabilizes or even declines.

Answer 1

Demographic Transition Stage Model 4

Question 2

Mostly sand and silt, depleted of clay, minerals, and organic matter. Below the A horizon, only sometimes present in all soils.

Answer 2

E Horizaion (Eluviated Layer)

Question 3

Igneous rocks form when magma from the Earth’s interior erupts onto the surface as lava and cools rapidly.

Answer 3

Extrusive Rock

Question 4

These are the non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems, such as recreation, aesthetic enjoyment, spiritual enrichment, and cultural identity.

Answer 4

Cultural Services

Question 5

A layer of warm air trapped above a layer of cooler air, preventing vertical mixing and leading to pollution buildup.

Answer 5

Inversion

Question 6

A pattern of survival over time in which there is low survivorship early in life, with few individuals reaching adulthood. Also known as early loss.

Answer 6

Type III Survivorship

Question 7

The fourth layer of the atmosphere. Temperatures increase dramatically with altitude due to the absorption of high-energy solar radiation.

Answer 7

Thermosphere

Question 8

Igneous rocks formed when magma from the Earth’s interior erupts onto the surface as lava and cools rapidly, resulting in a fine-grained or glassy texture due to the quick crystallization process; essentially, they are volcanic rocks that solidify on the Earth’s surface

Answer 8

Extrusive rock

Question 9

A large plume of hot mantle material rising deep within the Earth. A line of volcanoes develops as a plate moves over the location.

Answer 9

Hot Spot

Question 10

Started out as some other type of rock, but have been substantially changed from their original igneous, sedimentary, or earlier metamorphic form. These rocks form when rocks are subjected to high heat, high pressure, hot mineral-rich fluids, or, more commonly, some combination of these factors.

Answer 10

Metamorphic rock

Question 11

Rocks from the accumulation and compaction of sediments, such as sand, mud, and organic matter. These sediments are often transported by water, wind, or ice and deposited in layers. Over time, the layers are compacted and cemented together. Examples include sandstone, shale, and limestone.

Answer 11

Sedimentary Rock

Question 12

Rocks that form from the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava). If magma cools slowly beneath the Earth’s surface, it forms intrusive igneous rocks, like granite. If lava cools quickly on the Earth’s surface, it forms extrusive igneous rocks, like basalt.

Answer 12

Igneous Rock

Question 13

The process of eroded material being deposited in a new location. It can occur when the transporting agent (wind, water, ice, or gravity) loses its energy and can no longer carry the material. Deposition can create new landforms, such as dunes and deltas.

Answer 13

Deposition

Question 14

The process by which soil and rock are transported from one place to another by wind, water, ice, or gravity. It is a natural process, but human activities can accelerate it. Erosion can lead to loss of fertile soil, water pollution, and other environmental problems.

Answer 14

Erosion

Question 15

Mostly organic matter like decomposing leaves, twigs, and other plant material. Typically the topmost layer.

Answer 15

O Horizon

Question 16

Mixture of mineral particles (sand, silt, clay) and organic matter from the O horizon. Below the O horizon.

Answer 16

A Horizon (Topsoil)

Question 17

Mostly sand and silt, depleted of clay, minerals, and organic matter. Below the A horizon, only sometimes present in all soils.

Answer 17

E Horizon (Eluviated Layer)

Question 18

Rich in minerals that have leached down from the A or E horizons. Below the E horizon (or A horizon if E is absent).

Answer 18

B Horizon (Subsoil)

Question 19

Partially weathered parent material (rock fragments, minerals). Below the B horizon.

Answer 19

C Horizon (Parent Material)

Question 20

Solid, unweathered rock (parent material). Below the C horizon, the bottommost layer.

Answer 20

R Horizon (Bedrock)

Question 21

A layer of warm air trapped above a layer of cooler air, preventing vertical mixing and leading to pollution buildup.

Answer 21

Inversion Layer

Question 22

The Earth rotates from west to east on its axis, meaning when viewed from above the North Pole, it spins counterclockwise. On the earth, the effect tends to deflect moving objects to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern and is important in the formation of cyclonic weather systems.

Answer 22

Coriolis Effect

Question 23

This cell is located closest to the equator. Warm, moist air rises at the equator and then moves poleward in the upper atmosphere. As it cools, it sinks back to the surface around 30 degrees latitude, creating high-pressure zones. This sinking air then flows back towards the equator along the surface, completing the cell. (0° to 30° latitude)

Answer 23

Hadley Cell

Question 24

This cell is located between the Hadley cell and the Polar cell. It is driven by the interaction of the Hadley cell and the Polar cell. Air from the Hadley cell flows poleward at the surface, while air from the Polar cell flows equatorward in the upper atmosphere. The two air masses converge around 60 degrees latitude, forcing the air to rise. This rising air then flows back towards the poles in the upper atmosphere, completing the cell. (30° to 60° latitude)

Answer 24

Ferret Cell

Question 25

This cell is located closest to the poles. Cold, dry air sinks at the poles and then flows equatorward along the surface. As it warms, it rises around 60 degrees latitude, creating low-pressure zones. This rising air then flows back towards the poles in the upper atmosphere, completing the cell. (60° to 90° latitude)

Answer 25

Polar Cell

Question 26

The solar radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. It’s the amount of sunlight that a particular area receives. This solar energy drives many processes on Earth.

Answer 26

Insolation

Question 27

Around June 21st, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. This means longer days and more direct sunlight, leading to warmer temperatures.

Answer 27

Summer Solstice

Question 28

Around December 21st, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun. This results in shorter days and less direct sunlight, leading to colder temperatures.

Answer 28

Winter Solstice

Question 29

A phenomenon where one side of a mountain range receives significantly less rainfall than the other. The Windward side is usually wet and cool. The Leeward side is usually dry and warm.

Answer 29

Rainshadow Effect

Question 30

Any selective force or forces in nature that push a population toward the average or median trait.

Answer 30

Stabilizing Selection

Question 31

Any selective force or forces that cause a population to evolve towards one end of a trait spectrum.

Answer 31

Directional Selection

Question 32

Any selective force or forces in nature that push a population toward the two ends of the trait spectrum. This can lead to the formation of two distinct species. Also known as disruptive selection.

Answer 32

Diversifying Selection

Question 33

Succession that occurs in essentially lifeless areas—regions in which the soil is incapable of sustaining life as a result of such factors as lava flows, newly formed sand dunes, or rocks left from a retreating glacier.

Answer 33

Primary Succession

Question 34

Succession that occurs in areas where a community that previously existed has been removed; it is typified by smaller-scale disturbances that do not eliminate all life and nutrients from the environment.

Answer 34

Secondary Succession

Question 35

The first organisms (such as lichens and mosses) to colonize an area and to begin the first stages of succession; typically r-strategist species.

Answer 35

Pioneer Species

Question 36

The cloudiness of the water. It is caused by suspended particles, such as sediment and algae. It can reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches the water and affect the health of aquatic ecosystems.

Answer 36

Turbidity

Question 37

An intermediate chemical form produced during the process of nitrification, where ammonia is converted into nitrate by bacteria, with nitrite being the transitional stage between ammonia and nitrate,

Answer 37

Nitrite

Question 38

A common form of nitrogen in the environment, often found in soil and water. Nitrates are essential for plant growth but can be harmful in excess.

Answer 38

Nitrates

Question 39

Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into a usable form by organisms or non-biological processes.

Answer 39

Nitrogen Fixation

Question 40

Oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate by bacteria.

Answer 40

Nitrification

Question 41

Decomposition of organic nitrogen compounds into ammonia by microorganisms.

Answer 41

Ammonification

Question 42

Reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas by bacteria under anaerobic conditions.

Answer 42

Denitrification

Question 43

Uptake and incorporation of nitrogen by plants into organic compounds.

Answer 43

Assimiliation

Question 44

The rate at which organic matter is produced by autotrophs (organisms that can produce their own food, such as plants). Here are some key terms related to primary productivity -

Answer 44

Primary Productivity

Question 45

The total rate at which organic matter is produced by autotrophs.

Answer 45

Gross Primary Productivity

Question 46

The rate at which organic matter is produced by autotrophs after accounting for respiration.

Answer 46

Net Primary Productivity

Question 47

A harvesting method where most trees in an area are removed, leaving a few seed trees to regenerate the forest. This can lead to a less diverse forest structure and an increased risk of pest and disease outbreaks.

Answer 47

Seed Tree Cutting

Question 48

A harvesting method involving the gradual removal of trees in multiple stages, leaving some trees to provide shelter for seedlings. This method can help to maintain forest structure and protect soil.

Answer 48

Shelterwood Cutting

Question 49

A harvesting method where only mature or overmature trees are removed, leaving the forest structure largely intact. This is the least disruptive method of harvesting, but it can be less profitable for timber companies.

Answer 49

Selective Cutting

Question 50

The movement of saltwater into freshwater aquifers, often caused by over-pumping of groundwater.

Answer 50

Saltwater Intrusion

Question 51

A stand where trees are of approximately the same age, usually resulting from a single regeneration event (e.g., clearcutting, seed-tree, or shelterwood method).

Answer 51

Even Aged Stands

Question 52

A stand with trees of various ages, often maintained through selective harvesting methods.

Answer 52

Uneven Aged Stands